Ideas from 'Immortality of the Soul' by Henry More [1659], by Theme Structure

29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / c. Angels

The schools said spirits lack extension, and wonder how many could dance on a needle's point

Full Idea:
Many, not without reason, laugh at those ridiculous fancies of the schools, that rashly take away all extensions from spirits, whether souls or angels, and then dispute how many of them booted and spurred may dance on a needle's point at once.

A reaction:
This famous idea originated with William Chillingworth. More's version is the classic one. Pasnau cites Aquinas Summa 1a 52.3 as discussing the actual question (and says this couldn't happen).